Reversible Stamps: Double the Use, Double the Fun
Reversible stamps are a fun way to broaden your paper crafting repertoire and add depth to your creative projects. Whether you’re making cards, scrapbooking, designing gift tags, or making DIY home decor, these two-sided stamps offer double the use and double the fun.
What Are Reversible Stamps?
Reversible stamps are specialized clear photopolymer stamps that can be inked and stamped on both sides. One side includes intricate details (in the card above, it’s the outline and line detail of the leaves and bowl), while the other offers a general shape (the colors that fill in the shape of the leaves). These double-sided stamps offer greater versatility in your stamping techniques and unlock a world of creative possibilities. Whether you’re using Stampin’ Up! reversible stamps individually or together to create a layered effect, these stamps add expanded options to your creative toolbox.
How To Use Reversible Stamps
Reversible stamps add a whole new dimension to your stamping techniques. Before you dive in, it may be a good idea to review our previous post, The Art of Stamp Crafting: A Beginner’s Guide. This article outlines the basic tools and techniques you can use to create beautiful stamp crafting projects. No matter where you’re starting, you’ll definitely want to have some of these supplies (in addition to your Stampin’ Up! reversible stamps of choice) on hand:
- Clear stamping block
- Classic Stampin’ Pad
- A way to clean your stamp
While there are many ways to use double-sided stamps, here is one stamp layering technique you can try. Select a detailed image to stamp and ink it with a darker ink color. While you wait for your stamped image to dry, clean the stamp, pull it off the clear block, and turn the stamp over to the other side. Then, ink the solid stamp image with a lighter ink color and stamp directly on top of the detailed image. This will add a layered effect to your craft project.
Creative Project Ideas Using Reversibles
With a basic understanding of reversible stamping techniques, it’s now time to get playful and experiment with some creative reversible stamp projects. Whether you’re making cards, scrapbooking, or designing some DIY home decor, these two-sided stamps will expand your paper crafting possibilities.
Layered Florals
Card making with reversible stamps is a fun way to experiment with stamp layering techniques, ink combinations, and so much more. The Natural Botanicals Photopolymer Stamp Set is a fantastic introduction to these possibilities.
In this example, the background uses both the general shape stamp and the detailed stamp to create a shadowy watercolor effect that adds depth. In the foreground, the yellow flower uses both the front and back of the stamp, layered on top of each other, to create line detail and fill in the colors.
Elevate Your Fun
You don’t always have to use both sides of your reversible stamps to create dynamic images.
In this example, the parrots were stamped and then filled in with markers. Pro tip: If you are using our Stampin’ Blends alcohol markers, be sure to use Memento Ink to stamp your image so it won’t bleed when you fill it in.
Play with Mirrored Images
One fun way to use reversible stamps is to create mirrored images.
In this example, the reversible stamps are used to create mirror images of the birds so that they are facing each other on the branch. This set comes with a reversible left-facing bird and a right-facing bird, so you can face them towards each other. In doing this, you can use the general shape side to fill in the image of the corresponding bird, or if you want a more advanced technique, you can use daubers on your stamps to blend multiple ink colors on one stamp (as seen in the example above).
Brighten Any Room
While we love card making with reversible stamps, some of our stamp collections include larger images that are suitable for DIY home decor.
In this cheery print, the general shape stamps were used to create the background, while the detailed side of the stamps were used to create the foreground. This technique offers depth and vibrancy to the print and makes for a fun, seasonal addition to any room.
Expand your Stamp Crafting Skills with Reversible Stamps!
Whether you’re a beginner who is playing with versatile stamping techniques or an experienced crafter trying to master the art of blending ink on reversible stamps, we have a dedicated community of people who are ready to help you on your journey. Unlock a world of possibilities—find a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator today!